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HELLO MEMBERS AND GUESTS, THIS PAGE IS A RUN DOWN OF WHATS HAPPENING. IT WILL BE UPDATED FROM TIME TO TIME. Whats UP? Let me know how the fly fishing is now where you are.

November 14 / 2009

I woke up this morning knowing that today was looking like a good day to hit the ruver Cloudy with a pending storm moving east that was going to bring us a little snow later that evening. The air temperature was going to +6c today with some easterly winds. I finally hit the river at 2pm winds, were calm, and I could see as I headed out, that it was snowing on Hudson Bay Mountain. The level and clarity of the Bulkley was perfect, and there should be some fresh Steelhead moving up river. I waded in near the head of the pool and made a few short casts as I moved slowly deeper, deep enough to swing my fly directly below me without hooking on the bottom. I was using a type 3 sink tip with a weighted Scarlet Dancer, a red fly that has always been good for me, and there was still ample light to use a semi bright fly. I had pinched the barb on an unused fly. I hooked and released a small Bull Trout, and from past Novembers I knew that there were lots of Bull Trout in the Bulkley now, but most of the really big ones were holding in deeper pools. A chance of picking up spawning Coho in these pools would have also been good. I released a 28" Steelhead in the belly of the run, and never touched anything else for 45 minutes until I reached the top of the tailout. A soft take, but a hard fought battle landed a nice 36" Buck. After releasing the bright 28" hen in the belly of the pool I had switched flies to a 2/0 Demon Dancer, a darker fly as I was now starting to lose light, and I now had only about an hour of daylight left, maybe time for another dozen or so casts before I called it a day, and a good one at that. In the top of the tailout the Buck took the Demon right at the end of the swing and had headed out across the river I set the hook and the rod bend more as the fish continued out across the river, but much faster then the take. I could feel it heading for the surface and was expecting some aerials, but when it broke the surface it thrashed as it headed back for deepeer water, he was a little reluctant but a nice fish and a great ending for the short day. I headed out and was already thinking ahead to the next day and the next thrill of landing Steelhead on a fly, but the experience would have been better to have had a fishing partner there to take some photos of the big Buck. Till later ( BIg Red )

November 12 / 2009

I did not fish today but fished every day up until today. I have continued to land only one Steelhead per day. Cold mornings have prevented me form getting an early start and with short days a couple of hours on the river is more the norm. Rivers are dropping and the clarity is much better then last week. I hope to get out again tomorrow or the next. So far the Steelhead have all been smaller then I normally hook this time of year, but they are all fun. Till later ( Big Red )

November 6 / 2009

Well I thought my arm was much better then it actually felt tossing a fly today. I was eventually forced to sit and watch Ted cast as I didn't want to push it, as I want give it another go on Sunday. I had a couple of pulls today, and a cast towards the shore line on my river right produced a small Steelhead, but the clarity is only about 24"s with lots of water. A little more clarity should produce better, maybe Sunday will be better. Here is a little look at the river today.
Bulkley River November 6 / 2009
The Bulkley River is high, and the clarity is improving a little
each day.

I have plans on tossing a fly again on Sunday, and with a little luck the
river will look a little better then, also a heavier intermediate sink tip
may be a better solution, but then again I would not have been able to make the casts towards the shore had I been using a heavier sink tip today.

It will all depend on my fishing partner, if he fishes the run first, then I will fish a heavier sink tip behind him, if it plays the other way, I will probably
stay with a floating line and wet fly. Point is there are plenty of Steelhead in the river as I have spotted them moving to the surface, just need a little more clarity for those big strikes that we all like.

Till later ( Big Red )






November 2 / 2009

Well now we are into November, the rivers have lots of water now that our first now fall melted and with continuing rains. The rivers may have lots of water now but they are dirty and unfishable, so we wait. First the rivers need to clean up, the Kispiox and upper Bulkley will probably come on line first. My arm is still to sore to fly fish so I really don't mind the wait. I should be sitting at the bench and getting some tying started for this next season but have not been able work the arm even at that. The weather remains mild for this time of year and I hold out some hope of getting in some really good fly fishing before the end of December. The mountains are covered in snow and the level is added to almost daily, but it is the rivers that my focus is mainly on. Well enough for now, don't eat to much Halloween candy. Till later. ( Big Red )

October 29 / 2009

To my surprise, when I awoke this morning, to find 8 inches of snow and still snowing. I had planned to fish the Skeena this morning, but by the time my wife got up and dug the truck out of the snow, it was a little to late for that trip, so I fished the Bulkley close to home for a couple of hours and found only one small Steelhead, and noticed that the river had rose just a little. The river is still clear and the water temperature was 37f. The rivers need to rise more, that should make the Steelhead move and become more aggressive. I was planning to do a little fishing again tomorrow but for some reason I can't seem to lift my right more then a few inches, "dam" guess I will have to stand down unless it is better in the am. It is warm right now it calls for rain tomorrow with temperatures rising to 11c. There is one other thing to mention, no fishermen, that is I have seen little or no signs of other fly fishermen for better then a week. There are a few local dedicated fly fishermen like myself that are still wading these cold waters, but not many.

Our new dog Buddy is fitting in really nicely,

Buddy
This picture was taken on the 28, the day before our first real snow fall.



Till later ( Big Red )
















October 25 / 2009

Just to bring you up to speed, the rivers have remained very low and clear, although it has been raining the rivers have not shown any change until today, only now they are showing signs of rising, which should be a good thing as long as they do not turn. Water temperatures have returned to more of a normal seasonal temp. around 40f unlike a week or two ago they were down to 35 and 36f. I have been away from the water again, I know this is not normal, but with a new dog in the home, it was necessary. Last week was a little slow but then again I did not spend much time on the water. I do long for more time in the day to fly fish, but I always enjoy the time I do get, and most of the time I find fish, and there is no doubt that this season the Steelhead numbers are up. There seems to be lots of fish, problem is the absence of big fish, but maybe this week I will find some bigger Steelhead. Although the numbers of Steelhead fly fishermen are way down now, there are still some determined fishers out there, making it guess work as to what runs one might find undisturbed Steelhead, but that is less of a problem now the it was a month ago. Till later ( Big Red )


October 19 / 2009

After two days off the river I have plans to be wading again tomorrow. The rivers remain low and clear, and both the Skeena and Bulkley rivers continue to be fishing well. I have noticed the absence of fly fishermen this past week, this may have resulted from last weeks cold snap and the snow warnings that just did not happen. Steelhead numbers were certainly up from last year and if river and weather conditions remain good, there is a lot of fly fishing season remaining. Check out the latest videos posted and some new pictures added to the gallery, with more to come as I find time away from the river. I am waiting and looking forward to seeing and reading stories from your visit to our Steelhead rivers. Till later ( Big Red )


October 13 / 2009

Just a few lines to let you all know that the fly fishing for Steelhead in both the Bulkley and Skeena river has been nothing short of spectacular this season. It was a chilly morning with a couple of cms of snow, and along with cold winds made fly fishing a little difficult. A trip to the Skeena is in order for tomorrow. The winds on the Skeena today made it impossible to fish. It calls for a little warmer day tomorrow, so it could be interesting as long as the winds stay down. A lot of pictures are being gathered to add to the gallery later this Winter. As always it has been great to meet new friends and reacquaint with old ones. I have taken a few video clips that I will also make available with links. Tight lines to everyone. Till later ( Big Red )

October 4 / 2009

I know I have not been blogging, but the fishing has just been to good. By the time I get home I have nothing left to give. The rivers are clear dropping and the fishing has been nothing short of spectacular. I fished with three friends today drifting down the Skeena river, between the four of us we hooked up with 16 Steelhead landing half as well as a number of trout. It was a cool morning followed by a clear warm day, fishing was great and the view of the snow capped mountains surrounded by fall colors, soaring Eagles and flying geese made it a day to remember. If you are not here fishing now, you are missing out. The rivers are full of Steelhead, and at times, and in certain places, full of fly fishermen from around the glob. Till later. ( Big Red )


September 27 / 2009

Hello again friends, the Bulkley River is holding on, despite our wet weather. It was -2c when I woke this morning as I prepared to float the river with a friend. I was dressed warm but the chill was in the air that stayed with us most of the day. Like all days on the river it was spectacular, the scenery, the fish, great friends, it is like I am in a fly fisherman's paradise, hey wait a minute, I am. The rivers are all fishing good, some have lost clarity, then rebounded, and then gone out again, only to return once again. Raining again today, what happens to the rivers will only depend on how long and how hard it rains. I don't think we will lose the Bulkley and I am positive that the Skeena River will once again give me time to explore it's waters with of my favorite flies in a quest for one of these magnificent fish. The Geese are flying, getting ready to head South and the Blue Herrons are already departing, meaning for me Winter is fast approaching and my Steelheading experience on these great rivers is about heat up. Till later ( Big Red )

September 20 / 2009

Well teaching again today, but some good news the Bulkley river is already rebounding, and clarity is already coming back. Is will help spread the fishers out over much more of the river. Reports of Coho taking a fly and some fly fishers are taking multiple Steelhead each day. Of course is is all good news, the bad news is the Skeena is still not looking good but the fact that the Bulkley is rebounding as fast as this could mean the Skeena will look much better sooner, one can only hope. Till later ( Big Red )


September 19 / 2009

I guess some of you may have already heard that most of the rivers are out and high because of a week of steady rain. The upper Bulkley and the Morice are still holding and the long range weather forecast looks better. Fishing has been good and these areas that are still fishable are starting to get a little crowed as everyone heads here. It is going to take a week for the lower Bulkley, Kispiox. to clean up a bit, and expect it will be longer for the Skeena, lets just keep out fingers crossed and hope for the best. It is a tough break for those of you who have planned for a trip and only have a limited amount of time. Morice is a good option as that run should peak in the next week. Till later ( Big Red )

September 17 / 2009

The news although not all great, I have good news as well. The Steelhead have finally moved into the reaches of the Bulkley and fishing has picked up. The upper Bulkley has clear water although still a little high. The lower Bulkley is off colour as a result of the Telkwa River. The Skeena River and Kispiox River's clarity is poor but should improve. These rivers were fishing well until resent wet weather although both still remain a little high for normal. I have not had as much time on the rivers as I would have liked but plans to spend more time away from teaching to do so. Fishing pressure is also below normal but that too could change as we near October. Till later ( Big Red )

September 14 / 2009

It seems to get harder and harder to get any time on the net these days. Maybe once the upgrades are complete things will work better. Of course that is not why you are checking in, right? Well an up date on the Bulkley and Skeena Rivers, Clear water above the Telkwa River, still a little off colour below, but still very fishable. Still Pinks hanging around but slowly more and more Steelhead are showing, it is a far cry from what has been expected, but it's still early. The Skeena River has been fishing much better although the clarity is only fair. I have had days when I have not touched a fish in the Bulkley, but at best only one or two. Same on the Skeena although I hooked two large fish today, they were both runners and thrashers, and most of us know what follows this action. I will be on the Skeena again tomorrow, although not as much fishing as scouting. It is no doubt time to tune your gear up and head North for some great Steelheading on the Bulkey and Skeena Rivers. I will certainly post any pic of any good fish taken in the weeks and months to come. Till later ( Big Red )

September 4 / 2009

Well here we are into the first week of Autumn, always my favorite time. Leaves are starting to fall, rivers are lower and clean, Pinks are winding down, Coho are coming in and most of all the Steelhead are coming. After weeks of shaking off Pinks I finally picked up my first Steelhead this morning. Taken on a Mcbike Special, 2/0 weighted and on a light intermediate type three sink tip. It calls for some heavy rain Saturday, but hope that it does not hit as heavy as predicted. If the weather and river conditions hold it may be time to migrate to the Skeena River to intercept some of the bigger Steelhead. As always I will be keeping everyone informed on my outings. Till later ( Big Red )

August 24 / 2009

Another day on the Bulkley, lots of Pinks, one good hit that was either a Coho or Steelhead, but we did not hookup. River conditions above the Telkwa River are good, but the Telkwa River is mudding up the Bulkley. Cooler nights have been making it a little better. I will try and get out a few more days this week, and expect to find an early run Steehead. The ice flows this Spring have brought about some big changes to the river, filling in some runs and dredging out others. I am looking forward to this season and I will try and keep my blog up to date and let you all know how its all going. Till later ( Big Red )


August 19 / 2009

Hi everyone. I have been off line for awhile as I needed to service and pick up new parts, but I'm back. Review this page for any of last years entrees, as I will be updating this page very soon, and starting the new season from August 2009. Most of the pictures on this page can be found in the photo gallery, but not all of them. Anyway, some great news for this Steelhead season mixed with a little bad news. The bad news is right now, the Telkwa River has coloured up because of hot weather, but I expect it to clear up soon, as the nights cool down. The rivers do continue to drop, and the upper Bulkley is clear, and the Skeena does not look too bad as the Telkwa River's influence gets filtered out. The Pink run is very strong, with scattered Coho reported. There is at least 1,000 Steelhead in the Bulkley System above the tagging process going on at Morice Canyon. This is the early run Steelhead heading for the Morice and all indications are that this run looks well above past average years. I can only hope that the Bulkley, Kispiox, Babine and Skeena runs show as favorable. I have a large to-do list, but I hope to look for some of those early Steelhead later this week. I look forward to reporting on my progress this season, and look forward to meeting new friends, and meeting up with old ones on the river. Till later ( Big Red )

August 8 / 2009

Steelhead season is fast approaching, Chinook season is all over, and I am spending some time after Sockeye Salmon on the fly. Sockeye are very exciting to fly fish for. A very strong fish that hits hard and explodes out of the water like a Tarpon gone wild.
Rivers are looking very good, and are continuing to drop and clean up. If things continue the out look is very good for great water for this Steelhead season. I hope all of you are getting tuned up for this season. Till later ( Big Red )



July 19 / 2009

I agree it has been a long time since I put something in my blog, my excuse, very busy. It is Chinook season here and although I am still tying when I get a chance, fishing seems to take preference over most other things. I have hooked 3 Chinooks on a fly, but have spent most of the season so far using gear in order to put some fish up for the Winter. There seems to be a strong run of big Sockeye up the Skeena River and I will be after them with a fly in a couple of weeks. Steelhead season is just around the corner and I am looking forward to this season. I have welcomed some new members and it is always great to see the interest in fly fishing.
I am still around and try and get to my e-mails and inquirers. I am posting a few new pictures of the Chinooks on a fly. Everyone stay safe and I look forward to meeting new friends while I am on the river. Till later Big Red )

April 8 / 2009

Hello friends, thought I would let you know whats up. Spring has been slow getting here this year, still snow from my home all the way to the coast, but each days there is less and less. The Bulkley River is showing signs of breaking up, only in places can see open water. The Skeena River is the same, but more open water the closer you get to the coast. The Kitimat River is mostly open with lots of snow still on the ground where the Sun can't get at it for long. Two weeks from our float there, so I am still spending most of my time at the bench, so for those of you still waiting for your orders, I have not forgotten you. One of the guys has dropped out of our trip with other plans for the time I scheduled. If anyone is interested. We camp out, and shuttle back and forth from the camp after each drift. Leaving for 3 to 4 days in the week of the 20th of this month. I want to leave you with a little something to think about and chuckle over.

( Fact or fiction ? ) You decide. I was talking with a friend lately, he said he was sitting at home day dreaming about all future camping, and fishing trips ahead of him, when his wife comes home and excitedly says to Chuck, " I won the lottery " "I won the lottery ", still not leaving his previous train of thought say> " you mean I can get new camping gear, and fishing gear, and" but before he could continue his wife Linda says "yes" yes" anything you want. "NOW GET OUT. Till later ( Big Red )

March 12 / 2009

Just a quick note. If anyone is having trouble getting through to the site listed below for the Quality Waters Report, please e-mail me and I will send you a copy of the original letter to me. Sometimes this site is not working because of updates being done. Winter is still holding on here and my Spring Steelhead trip may be delayed. ( Big Red )

March / 2009

Hi members, the 2009 Steelhead season is fast approaching although you would hardly know that with the Winter weather continuing.

I have kept busy tying and have checked and rechecked all my gear, lines cleaned reels oiled, all ready to go. I have not been doing much work on the site, so maybe some of you could pick up some slack and let us know how things are with you, especially any fishing stories and or pictures. A big bull moose crashed through my 6 foot high fence, and luckily left through the same damaged section when he left, looks like a little fence time will be required between fishing this year.

I just received the up date on the Quality Water Management Plan, as it seems things are now again moving forward. Here is the links to the Phase 2 - loads can be done by going to http://www.cnv.gov.bc.ca/skeena/gws not some of it is lengthy, so if all you have is dial up expect to spend some time at it. Best to everyone. Till later ( Big Red )


January 20/ 2009

Congratulations to all of you in the U.S. with your new President, I pray he is good for the whole world. I want to thank everyone for all the e-mails, I am totally jealous of all of you who are casting a fly while I am stuck here in the frozen north, and stuck at my fly tying bench. I will bite my lip and wait for my chance in the Spring. Please don't stop telling me of your exploits and if you send any pictures, I will certainly put them on the blog. ( Big Red )


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